Death of the Honey Bees and the Rise in Autism: Super-Pesticides are Damaging Our Children

Colony Collapse Disorder

When I heard that the Honey Bees were dying out, I was sort of concerned. After all, bees are not usually considered man's best friend. We are brainwashed from day one into staying away from the pesky critters. They have those painful stingers and all. I know that their honey is amazing...ever try a peanut butter and honey sandwich? And they are pretty,colorful,helpful little insects who pollinate our world.

I only became concerned when nobody could figure out why they were dying. Ah! A mystery. Many theories are out there about this. Some believe that it is a virus. The theory that cell phones were the culprits has recently been thrown out. Others believe that this is just a part of a hundred year old decline in the bee's population. Or that certain bee strains were weaker than others.

Still others believe that there is a more ominous reason which will have far-reaching implications. The theory goes like this:

We started using highly-potent pesticides back in the 90s for our crops.

These pesticides killed the insects in a new way.

They cause disorientation and loss of memory, stomach and small-intestine fungi, and most frightening...destruction of the immune system.Interesting that the rate of autism has skyrocketed during this time.

What are some of the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder? Let's see..lowered immune system which may be the reason that some children are susceptible to the onslaught of vaccinations in their infant stage; yeast problems in the stomach and intestinal tract; disorientation and bizarre behavior (flapping); and loss of memory (perhaps...rates of Alzheimer's have also increased).

Now, you may say that we are simply diagnosing these disorders and previous generations may have either ignored, accepted, or categorized the severely afflicted as "mentally retarded". But, I propose that we take a look at the possible connection.

What exactly is Autism?

Autism is a complex neurological and biological disorder that usually lasts a lifetime. 1 in 150 individuals are currently diagnosed with autism. It is more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. It crosses all racial, ethnic, and socio-economic groups. It is four times more prevalent in boys than girls. Autism impairs a person's ability to communicate and relate to others. It is also associated with rigid routines and repetitive behaviors, such as obsessively arranging objects or following very specific routines. Symptoms can range from very mild to quite severe.

One of the possible causes which has been debated in the media, the autism community, and in the pediatrician's offices with parents today is the possibility that vaccinations are causing autism. One theory is that the infants who have weakened immune systems are the ones who are adversely affected by the vaccinations. However, today there is no test to determine which infant or toddler should be vaccinated or not. Pediatricians are bound by law to administer the vaccines. The responsibility for the repercussions, ie. disease, that the child may get if the parents decide not to immunize, is placed solely on them, not the medical community.

We all know children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. How could we not, with those odds? This is an epidemic of biblical proportions.

How important are the bees to our food-supply? 70% of our food supply depends on the honey bees. 70%. Should we be concerned? Absolutely. The New York Times and Network News have both covered this story over the past few years. But, the surprising lack of "connect-the-dots" thinking is worrisome. If the symptoms are the same, then maybe, just maybe, we should take another look.

A California study found that women who lived close to farms who used pesticides on their crops had a higher rate of births to children with autism. (Link attached) Another larger California study found that mothers who used certain flea and tick shampoos on their pets during their pregnancies had a higher incidence of autism in their children. (Link attached)

My son has verbal apraxia of speech, a neurological disorder. The cause is unknown. I think that we are dealing with far too many unknowns in 2008.

Comments

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Abigayle Malchow 7 years agofrom Ripon Wisconsin

Bravo; factual and intelligent yet pieced together from the obvious. About time. I am a bit irritated today as I read the governments stating that people like myself are "driven by fear and not by reason" over the vaccination debate.

So my son is diagnosed with Infantile Autism, Sensory Integration Disorder and violent behavior and my daughter younger by 20 months, is just not on spectrum with Asperger Syndrome. OUt of my four kids those two were concieved, born, and vaccinated on Naval Air Station Lemoore in CAlifornia's San Jouquin Valley.

When my son was 12 months old he had been up to every normal standard developmentally, socially, and communication. After that he was regressed drastically down to a one year old mental state and intellectually. A few months later it was falling head first into the floor up five feet and into hard floor; stiff as a board falling straight back; banging his head so hard and repetitive it took three adults to remove him effecctively restrain him and clean up the blood. Lemoore has farmland contracted out to civilian's that was sprayed three times a day every day; I still have the glasses that have horribly eroded glass from the constant film of pesticides that were sprayed. We didn't drink the water straight from the tap but I didn't know you shouldn't use it in bottles or for making tea or to cook with and the pesticides were in the ground and water supply. Not to mention it was locally grown and sold thus ate food that was contaminated as well. Then you have, not just thermisol and mercury based vaccinations that the government is throwing out proudly that no its not the vaccines that the MMR and the ridiulus additions such as the ones for diraea that actually have killed infants from their intestines getting so messed up after my son got three doses. The chicken pox where one isn't enough they want two and ten years ago getting less then ten to over fifty today. Those are live virus's they state; you all are uneducated fools so listen to us that don't provide the evidence clearly to the public to see for themselves in black and white but are to take your word; when we see the evidence everywhere posted for your opposition. Who's the idiot? Those live virus's were an intial proven through so many studies its ridiculus to three that can't prove they weren't but didn't conclude they were; the cause. You inject the kids with three live virus's an adults body and infected and inaffective immune systems have an issue fighting and that's why we get the flu when we get the damn flu shot. What do you think is going to happen?

Did anyone mention when they called us paranoid nearly; that aluminum is also in ANTHRAX vaccinations and the extreme rise of soldier suicides is the Army and they have deployed on average two times or more and that PTSD isn't PTSD but a neuro toxicity from all three rounds of anthrax they received supposed to help them? Apparently when I was screamijng for someone to listen not to send my husband down there for third time and I was too loud nand too close the truth they actually encouraged and pretty much went around regulations to force a divorce. That the erratic behavior these men are showing and the out of character "its just not my husband" look in their eyes and the suicidal thoughts and actions are there minds about to experiencce what those researchers were shocked and scared to death by; called "neuro-death". I have two autistic kids and a government induced ptsd like soldier that may have a brain slowely dying neurologically. Does the government think I don't know what serotonin and dopamine are and what they do and what levels they are emitted to be medicated for ADHD effectively thus Autistic kids shouldn't there levels are different and their motivations aren't neurologically necessarily their neurotransmitters?

NO I AM A PARANOID, UNEDUATED BLIND AND DEAF MOM OF A CHILD THAT WAS NORMAL. Add in the other environmental issues and you have what I call "GOVERNMENT ENVIRONMENTAL INDUCED AUTISM" As well as if you take all this as contributing causes is the chem trail or geoengineering idea so very off the mark? Not when you think of it as bees dying DIFFERENTLY. That sounded nuts then right? People looked cross eyed at you like why would you need to know that? And you are right they were headed to CA and then they were just GONE. I lived and grew up in that state. I know what caused what in my family. I now know my husband's problem though he divorced me and the Army is about to have a really INTELLIGENT FORWARD TRUTH SPEAKING EX ARMY WIFE telling her story when facts all back it up on their front gate lawn as news media aims bright lights and cameras on a family that is only one of many effeted. I am tired of everyone shutting up and rolling over and playing dead. I hate it as much as the next decent person; the GOVERNMENT LIES PEOPLE. Is it a conspiracy that's up to you to decide I think that if anything they messed up big time and have no way to control the wave of information and too many people to pick off one by one...guess what. My calls are recorded due to living on post in mlitary quarters, they read all emails I send downrange at least that is what they tell us...they know where I am. Apparently people don't think one voice makes a differene well it does and I have living proof it does and all I can say is we are sitting on top of the proof and the answers and the cause. Its not about fixing the kids my kid does't need to be fixed...what needs to be done is accountability for one's actions. I don't like other coutries laughing at me; and yes, the do...we are the naïve americans just got aske the ponds security guards on the army garisson in germany where we lived for two years. They aren't being told how to think like we are. Sorry a bit angry at a comment directed towards blaming Jenny McCarthy for being resjponsible and observations coupled with others as well as studies in our favor and research? She and all of us were very much told we are their idiot puppets and they are the masters.

News flash none of you are idiots. Its just who has the guts and the mouth to speak what you think whether you are right on the mark or not.

Tim Blackstone 7 years ago

I worry about the decline in the bee population because as you so rightly say we depend on bees to pollinate many food crops as well as them being a hugely important part of the whole cycle of nature.

I worry about the long term effects of pesticides and chemicals in the atmosphere and on the land and common sense would say that if there are doubts we should move cautiously but unfortunately, as always, money is what motivates business and they really don't seem to care what harm it might do to our children. Great hub and I hope it makes more people question things.

Mom2ellyroo 7 years ago

I work in early intervention in the San Joaquin valley where many of our citrus groves are populated by bee keepers, who then in turn gather and sell the raw bee pollen and honey products. I know that the areas bee population has diminished just by word of mouth in the Mayberry type of town that I live in, with a significantly higher autism rate than the national average (1/6 here I believe). But also the only home to a certain spore that causes San Joaquin Valley disease, which may have a play in this when pesticides & GMO's are thrown in. It's like something from the mad scientists workshop with all the chemicals on our/in our food supply.

Michelle 9 years ago

Very interesting! I had never even considered a link between pesticides and autism. I know that sounds funny, you would think that would be on the top of the list of suspects.

AutismInsideOut 9 years agofrom Southern California

Thanks for posting it

AutismInsideOut 9 years agofrom Southern California

Very Interesting Blog!.. I enjoyed reading it.

SweetiePie 9 years agofrom Southern California, USA

I am glad someone finally wrote a hub regarding the honey bee issue on Hubpages, well this is the first one I have seen. The research regarding pesticides show it is better to buy organic and use pesticides with caution. When I was a child we were considered ahead of our time because we used organic gardening techniques, but now it is all the rage. It is funny how things change so much in twenty years! Thanks for the great hub.

Constant Walker 9 years agofrom Springfield, Oregon

Great hub! I love peanut butter, honey and banana sandwiches.

I watched a special report about the decline in bee populations on Discovery Channel several months ago. They, too, were exploring the link to pesticides. Disturbingly, I'd never heard about the link to human autism, but I bet we'll be hearing many more such stories and many more such &quot;man-made&quot; diseases. Our rampant use of chemicals in every aspect of human society is now coming back to bite us in our collective asses.